Wire tongs for holding or displacing energized conductors of transmission lines or the like



Aug. 9, 1949. F, J, HENDLEY 2,478,579

WIRE ToNGs FOR HOLDING 0R DISPLACING ENERGIZED GONDUCTORS 0F TRANSMISSION LINES 0R THE LIKE Filed July 5, 1947 Patented Aug. 9, 1949 WIRE TONGS FOR HOLDING R DISPLACING ENERGIZED CONDUCTORS 0F TRANSMIS- SION LINES GR THE LIKE Flavius Josephus Hendley, deceased, late of Chattanooga, Tenn., by Cornelia Smartt Hendley, executrix, Columbia, Tenn.

AApplication July 5, 1947, Serial No. 759,117

4 10 Claims.

The present invention relates to wire tongs for holding or displacing c energized conductors of transmission lines or the like, yand is particularly concerned with the provision of an improved wire tong or Wire holder which, by virtue of its includes an improved form of housing and'guide mechanism for the movable jaw or hook by means of which bending stresses are transmitted to the supporting ferrule on the wooden pole at the outer edge of this ferrule, thereby greatly increasing the strength of the assembly.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved wire tong assembly which is sturdy, durable, adapted Vto be manufactured economicallyand assembled easily, and adapted to be used for a long period of time without necessity for replacement or repair of any of its parts.

Another object is the provision of an improved Y wire tong assembly including a fixed jaw and a movable jaw, the movable jaw being mounted with its threaded shank in a threaded member having a limited amount of universal motion whereby the movable jaw maybe guided by its engagement with parts. of the iixed jaw, the

threaded members being self-aligning.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following descrip- I tion and the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate similar` y parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the single sheet of drawings ac- Y companying this specification,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side Velevational view of the wire tong with the jaws in the open position.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view Yof the wire tong with the jaws in the open position.

Fig. I3 is a elevational view.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary axial sectional view taken on the plane of the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction ofthe.arrows Fig 5 is a transversefsectional view taken on Y the plane of the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a transverse` sectional view taken on the plane of the line 6--6 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to Figs. lato 3, I 0 indicates, in its entirety, the wire and tong assembly, whichpreferably includes an elongated insulating pole il, a supporting ferrule l2, and a wire tong head i3. The wooden insulating pole Il is preferably provided in its upper end with a cylindrical bore I4 into which the threaded shank I5 of the movable jaw member I6 may be retracted.

The pole is also provided with one or more transverse bores l1 located below the socket i4 for receiving the .rivets` I8 which pass through the pole and through the cylindrical flange I9 of the ferrule l2 and secure the ferrule fixedly on the end of the pole. 1

The ferrule I2 may consist of a cast Ymetal member which is formedvwith `an end wall 2E) which may be substantially as .thick as the threaded nut 2|. The endwall 20 is preferably formed A.with Van annular groove 22, leaving a radially a pair of housing Vhalves-,j3l (Fig. 2), which fmay be similar in constructiombut are made in vofV the end wall.

projecting flange 23-at the top. Groove 22 is defined by the lower surface 24 of flange 23, the

Y cylindrical surface 25,-and-vthe annular surface 26. A

The casting l2 is preferably made of some suitable llght metal, such as an aluminum alloy,

and, therefore, it ispreferably Aprovided withva washer 21 which may-be made'in the form of two halves, so that they can be` assembled inthe groove 22. Each of thelhalvesris provided at each of its ends with aidepending pin 28 which slides into an :axial-apertureV in the surface 2B TheA washer2'l may be made ofbrass." Y 1 The groove 22 is adaptedn to provide a rotatable support for the housing 29 of the tong head I3, and thehousing-ZVS!` is preferably formed of left-hand and right-'hand members. Y Y

Each of the housing'halvesY is provided with a `substantially .half cylindrical lower end Y wall 32 3 which has an inwardly extending annular ange 33 (Fig. 4) adapted to extend into the groove 22 and substantially complementary to the space left in the groove 22 when assembled with washer 21 and another washer about to be described.

The housing halves 30, 3| are hollow, and thus are provided with space for the upper annular flange 23 on the ferrule. In order to provide the upper surface of the annular flange 33 with a different metal surface, another washer is preierably employed, indicated at 34, each washer comprising a half ring fitting 'against the surface 24 of the groove 22 and having a depending flange 35 which extends downward at the ends of the annular ange 33 so that the half washers 34 are supported in place by having their end flanges 35 engaged between the housing halves 36, 3i at their point of juncture, which comprises the two lat surfaces 36, 3'I (Fig. 2).

In addition, the half washers 34 are conned by being inside the half housings, above the flange 33. The half housings 30 and 3| comprise tapered cast metal members which may each taper inwardly at 38 from the cylindrical lower end 32,

. and may be provided with a pair of substantially flat side walls 39 at the top, which portion of the side walls is substantially rectangular in crosssection, as seen in Fig. 1.

The housing halves are closed byY a half front wall 46 and a half rear wall 4|, and are formed with a half upper wall '42 which serves as one of the clamping members.

All Vof these half front and rear and upper walls extend over to the juncture which "is formed by the nat surfaces 36 and 3l, except 'that there is an axially extending slot 43 inthe rear `side of the housing 29 (Fig. 3) "serving as a Vguide for a rearwardly extending web 44 which is carried by the upper movable clamping member I6.

This rear groove `43 is open at its upper end and extends downwardly to its base 46, which is located at such a point as to permit practically a full closure of the space between the movable jaw I6 and xed jaw surface 42.

The front wall 40 also curves and extends diagf onally inwardly at 41 (Fig. '4) and is bonded by a pair of side flanges 48, 49 (Fig. 4, Fig. 5) which are spaced to receive the pointed end portion 53 of the movable jaw I6. The upper Wall 42 which forms the xed clamping surface is also provided with a slot beginning at (Fig. 4) and joining with the rear slot 43 to permit the neck portion 52 of the movable clamping member I6 to project upwardly from the housing 29. y

To assure upper alignment of the housing halves, the one half 3| (Fig. 4) has a haii` circular groove 53, and located axially of the half housing on its surface 31 at the top wall '42, and the other half housing 30 Ahas a complementary half cylindrical rib fitting in the groove 53.

The upper wall 42 is preferably curved on a radius which is equivalent to the radius of the largest conductor with which it is to be'used.

The two housing `halves 3|), A3| ``are preferably secured together by a pluralityfof screw bolts 54, i55,56 and 5-1 which pass throughthe housing half 30 and are threaded into threaded :bores 53 in the housing half 3|.

The movable f clamping member 4or j aw -I 6 comprises a hook-shaped member which is provided with a threaded shank I5. The threaded shank I5 is preferablyV provided with strong, thick threads of rectangular vcross-section complementary to the similar threadsfin 4the threaded bore 59 of the nut 2|. The nut 2| is non-'circulanthat is, substantially square in plan, as shown in Fig. 6, and it nts in a complementary socket 69 in the end wall 20 of the ferrule I2.

The socket 60, however, is provided with an overhanging lip or flange 6I at the upper side of nut 2|', and the top surface of the nut may be made partially spherical at 62, cooperating with a complementary surface on the lower side of the lip or flange 6|.

The nut 2| may have a loose lt in its socket, and may also be provided with a lower, radially vextending flange 63 loosely fltted'in a complementary recess 64 in the end wall 20. Thus the nut 2| is prevented from rotating, but is permitted a limited universal movement about its axis.

In order to assure the nut 2| being held in the end wall, it is engaged by a metal washer 64 on its lower side, the washer having an aperture for 'passing the threaded shank I5 and being engaged by the upper end of the pole I I.

At its upper end the threaded shank I5 supports a diagonally extending portion 65 of the movable jaw I6. This portion 65 extends rearwardly and out of the slot 43, and it has a curved upper surface 66. The portion 65 supports the rear web 44, which reinforces arid aids in guiding the jaw I6, and it supports a pair of 'anges 61, 68 extending laterally and upwardly at 'substantially right angles to the web 44. l

The flanges 61, 68 are engaged on their rear sides by the portions 69 and 1|! oi the rear wall 4I, which are located on either side of the slot 43. The web tapers outwardly, 'but-has its base of suflicient width to be guided by the walls of the slot 43. The flanges 61, 68 fit 'in 'vertically extending grooves A'I I', 'I2 (Fig. 5) 'formed `on the inside of the housing halves Y`3|), '3I, and thus Aare guided for vertical movement vand reinforced against cantilever strains on the jaw I6. The movable jaw VI6 has a substantially ilat forward surface 'I3 `and a curved clamping surface "I4, which may be on the same 'curvature yas 'the surface 42 of the fixed jaw.

The web 44 continues up `over the top of the hook or jaw I6, having an upper portion I5 'and a forwardly extending portion I6 on the frontend 59 of the Vjaw 16. The pointed "end portion 56 of the jaw I6 has fa lower curved guiding `surface l1 for guiding the yconductor `between the jaws, but the conductor is held between'the'jaws'against removal, even though the jaws are loose, by th downwardly extending hump l78.

The upper portion 1of the movable 'jaw I6 also has laterally extending lang'esiland 85 onfboth sides, thus Agiving 1it 'a "T-sl'a'ped Across-section throughout, irom the 'pointed 6G Y'to 'the hsup-- porting portion 65, J'and increasing its strength against bending or deformation;

The operationof'the wire tong head isfas iollows: The jaws 'areppen'ed as 'shown Fig. '1, by turning jthe pole 1| counter-clockwise with respect to the movable jaw I6 vwhichV may 'ce heldin cnehand. With the jaws "open, the upper jaw I6 is Vhooked on the conductor 'on which it is vto be used.

The weight of fthe tong itself 'causes 'the lc'o'nductors to be 'engaged by ithe upper "curved surface i4 of the hook i6 and holds the iawagainst rotation while the `-'operator turns `the stick :in a clockwise direction. This 4'causes nutZiI "totrayel upward with respect to threaded shank I 5, drawing the shank |5 `intothesocket'I4 and bringing Ithe two jaw clamping surfaces lland 42 'closer together until the conductor isclamped between them. Then the pole "H ima'y bia-"used for pushingo'r pulling or bending the energizedicon- -ductor in any direction desired.

A `Ypull is Vresisted'by the strongly threaded vshank I5, nut 2|, and is transmitted directly to the pole II by the ferrule I2 and its upper wall 20. A push is taken by theupper surface 42 of the housing 29 and transmitted by the inwardly extending'ilange 33 directly to the upper wall 2G of the ferrule I2 on pole I I.

y A lateral or cantilever force may be applied, Aandthis is Ytaken by the curved surface 42 and 110V the surface 'I3 Ion hook I6, and the hook is `reinforced by having its side ribs 61 and 58 guided in grooves 1I,12 of the'hou'sing 'halves 13B and 3l. YThuis the strain from the hook is transmitted to the housingA 29 and thence' by means ofv the annular ilange 33 and annular "groove V2,2 from the housing 29 to the louter portions of the ferrul'e. 'Y s YA very strong tong assembly is thus provided 'which will withstand all of these forces with a minimum possibility of deformation or breakage. f vIt will thus be observed that an improved wire tong has been invented which is stronger than any of the devices of the prior art, land which is simple in constructi-on and adapted to be manufactured at a lo-w cost. Its external appearance is streamlined, and it has no parts which might interfere `with the action of its jaws, or

' which might catch on the conductors during the use of the tong.

The forces applied to the hook or movable jaw are immediately transmitted to the pole by means of a ferrule and a suitable housing, which reinforces the movable jaw and greatly increases thc strength of the assembly. The universal movement of the threaded'nutV permits it tobe 4.self-aligning, and permits the movable jaw to react against the housing without placing a cantilever strain on the threaded shank.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated, many modications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is not wished to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth,"

but it is desired to take advantage of all changes withinthe scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is: y 1. In a wire tong head, the combination of a ferrule adapted to be secured to a wooden pole -or the like, said ferrule being provided with an upper wall having an annular groove, means Acarried by said ferrule and centrally located in its upper wall andv provided witha threaded bore, a movable jaw having athreaded shank in said threaded bore, and a housing rotatably mounted in said annular groove and extending 'upwardly around said threaded shank and having sliding engagement with said movable jaw for permitting longitudinal sliding but resisting relative rotation between said housing and movable jaw, said housing having an upper clamping surface cooperating with said movable jaw to clamp a conductor.

2. In a wire tong head, the combination of a ferrule adapted to be secured to a wooden pole or the like, said ierrule being provided with an upper wall having an annular groove, means carried by said ferrule and centrally located in its upper wall and provided with a threaded bore, a movable jaw having a threaded shank in said threaded bore, and a housing rotatably mounted in said annular groove and extending upwardly around saidv threaded" shank and having `sliding' engagement with said movable jaw for permitting -ange engaging in said annular groove.

3. In a wire tong head, the combination of a ferrule adapted to be secured to a wooden pole or the like, said ferrule being provided with an upper wall having an annular groove, means carried by said ferrule and centrally located in its 'upper wall and provided with a threaded bore,

a movable jaw havingV a threaded shank in said threaded bore, and a housing rotatably mounted in said annular groove and extending upwardly around said threaded shank and having sliding engagement with said movable jawrior permitting longitudinal sliding but resisting relative rotation between said housing and movable jaw, said housing having an upper clamping surface cooperating with said movable jaw to clamp a conductor, the opposed clamping surfaces on said movable jaw and housing being curved complementarily to the largest conductor with which the jaws are to be used.

4. In a wire tong head, the combination of a ferrule adapted to be secured to a wooden pole or the like, said ferrule being provided with an upper wall having an annuiar groove, means carwried by said ferrule and centrally located Yin its 'upper walll and provided with a threaded bore, ja movable jaw having a threaded shank in said threaded bore, and a housing rotatably mounted in said annular groove and extending upwardly raround said threaded shank and having sliding engagement with said movable jaw for permitting longitudinal sliding but resisting relative rotation between said housing and movable jaw,

said housing having an upper clamping surface cooperating with said movable jaw to clamp a conductor, said movable jaw being provided with axially extending, laterally projecting guide ribs, and said housing being provided with complementary guide slots for said ribs.

5. In a wire tong head, the combination of a a movable jawhaving a threaded shank in said threaded bore, and a housing rotatably mounted iinV saidannular groove and extending upwardly Yaround said threaded shank and having sliding engagement with said movable jaw for permitting longitudinal sliding but resisting relative rotation between said housing and movable jaw, said housing having an upper clamping surface cooperating with said movable jaw to clamp a conductor, said threaded means carried by said errule having a limited universal movement in said ferrule but being secured against axial movement whereby cantilever strains are resisted by sliding engagement of the movable jaw and housing and are not applied to the threaded shank.

6. In a wire tong head, the combination of a ferrule adapted to be secured to a wooden pole or the like, said ferrule being provided with an upper Wall having an annular groove, means carried by said ferrule and centrally located in its upper wall and provided with a threaded bore,

'a movable jaw having a threadedv shank in said gated wooden insulating pole, said pole -having a socket in its tool end, a ferrule having a cylin- -drical tubular body secured on the tool end of said pole, said ferrule having a thick end wall provided with 4an, annular groove, said ferrule also having a socket located centrally of the upper wall of the ferrule, said socket being open nat its top and bottom and having an overhangingiiange at its upper side, a nut loosely mounted for a limited universal movement in said socket and engaging said ange, a washer engaging the lower side of said nut and secured between said thick wall and the end of said pole, a rotatable clamping lmember rotatively mounted on said ferrule but secured against axial movement, and a movable jaw having a threaded shank in said nut and mounted for sliding movement and having a sliding connection with said rotatable clamping member,

8. In a wire tong, the combination of an elongated Wooden insulating pole, said pole having a socket in its tool end, a ferrule having a cylindrical tubular bodysecur-ed on the tool end of said pole, said ferrule having a thick end wall provided with an annular groove, said ferrule also having a socket located centrally of the upper wall of the ferrule, said socket being open Vat its top and bottom and having an over-hanging flange at its upper side, a nut loosely mounted for a limited universal movement in said socket and engaging said iiange, a washer engaging the lower side of said nut and secured between said thick wall and the end of said pole, a rotatable clamping member rotatively mounted on said ferrule but secured against axial movement, and a movable jaw having a threaded shank in said nut and mounted for sliding movement and having a sliding connection with said rotatable clamping member, said rotatable clamping member comprising a pair of housing halves of lower cylindrical for-m having an inwardly extending annular ilange engaging in said groove.l

9. In a wire tong, the combination of an elongated wooden insulating pole, said pole having a socket -in its tool end, a ferrule having a cylindrical tubular body secured on the tool end of said pole, said ferrule having a thick end Wall provided with an annular groove, said ferrule also having a socket located centrally of the upper wall of the ferrule, said socket being open at its top and bottom and having an overhanging lange'at its upper side,V a nut loosely mounted for a limited universal movement in said socket and engaging said flange, a washer engaging the lower side of said nut and secured between said thick wall and the end of said pole, a rotatable Aclamping member rotatively mounted on said ferrule but secured against axial movement, and a movable jaw having a threaded shank in said nut and mounted for slidingmovement and having `a sliding connection with said rotatable clamping member, said movable jaw projecting upwardly and rearwardly from a slot between said housing halves and being provided with an upper hook formation for clamping a wire against the end surface of said rotatable clamping member.

Vl0. In a wire tong, the combination of an elongated wooden insulating pole, said pole having a socket in its tool end, a ferrule having a cylindrical tubular body secured on the tool end of said pole, said ferrule having a thick end wall provided with an annular groove, said ferrule also having a socket located centrally of the upper wall of the ferrule, said socket being open at its top and bottom and having an overhanging flange at its upper side, a nut loosely mounted for a limited universal movement in Said socket and engaging said flange, a washer engaging the lower side of said nut and secured between said thick wall and the end of said pole, a rotatable clamping member rotatively mounted on said ferrule but secured against axial movement, and a movable jaw having a threaded shank in said nut and mounted for sliding movement and having a sliding connection with said rotatable clamping member, said movable jaw projecting upwardly and rearwardly from a slot between said `housing halves and being provided with an upper hook formation for clamping a Wire against the end surface of said rotatable clamping member, said half housing members being provided with axially extending guide grooves, and said movable jaw being provided with guide ribs for sliding movement in said axial grooves whereby cantilever strains on said movable jaw are transmitted to said housing halves and by them transmitted to the periphery of the upper wall of said ferrule.

CORNELIA SMARTT I-IliNlJlEYA Eecutrizc of the Will of Flam'us Josephus Hend- Zey, Deceased.

No references cited. 

